elderwoodreads's reviews
165 reviews

Come & Get It by Kiley Reid

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

A terrible follow up after Such a Fun Age. Great characters and nothing was done with them, which isn't always a bad thing but in this case it was. Felt like a ton of rambling for zero payoff. Wish these characters had been used better. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death

Moderate: Drug use, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcohol

Minor: Sexual content and Blood

Text Me When You Get Home: The Evolution and Triumph of Modern Female Friendship by Kayleen Schaefer

reflective medium-paced

2.75

I wish this book was grounded in research. I probably shouldn't have expected that but unfortunately that is what I was hoping for. Instead it's a lot of TV recaps, BuzzFeed listicle quotes, and fluff from the author's personal life. Tbh I should have DNF'd it. 

Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family by Robert Kolker

informative sad slow-paced

4.0

Super interesting family and story, I liked the back and forth between that and the decloping science around schizophrenia. I felt like there were a few points that were dry/slow. But overall worth reading!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Mental illness, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Forced institutionalization and Medical content

You Don't Have to Say You Love Me by Sherman Alexie

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

First reread, won't be my last. Definitely prefer the audiobook but it was nice to see how the poetry was structured. 

Not the End of the World: How We Can Be the First Generation to Build a Sustainable Planet by Hannah Ritchie

hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

4.0

This was a little repetitive at times and I think it could have used another round of edits. But tons of good info and hope for the future. Definitely would recommend. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Animal cruelty and Pandemic/Epidemic

The Tortilla Curtain by
Did not finish book. Stopped at 47%.

Just didn't grab me. Will try again later probably. 

What Is a Girl Worth?: My Story of Breaking the Silence and Exposing the Truth about Larry Nassar and USA Gymnastics by Rachael Denhollander

informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.0

I did not like the large presence of the author's religion in this book. I wish some of that had been cut, in addition to large swaths of the book dedicated to her husband and children. I think this could have been a more narrowed book. Her story is inspiring though and I applaud her for her fight for justice. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Pedophilia, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Misogyny and Pregnancy

Minor: Cancer, Sexual content, and Suicide

Salt Slow by Julia Armfield
Did not finish book. Stopped at 26%.

Didn't grab me. 

The Heart Goes Last by Margaret Atwood

dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Really excellent! I enjoyed this so much and I can't wait to keep reading more from Atwood.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity and Sexual content

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Medical content, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Pedophilia and Forced institutionalization

Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Ishiguro is fast becoming a favorite author. I lived this one too.

Klara's bargaining with the sun reminded me of my religious deconstruction although the sun pulled through for her

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness

Moderate: Bullying and Classism

Minor: Child death